Marvel Comics has confirmed exclusively with ComicBook.com that Darth Vader #1 has received over 300k pre-orders, making it another strong start from Marvel’s recently launched Star Wars comic book line.

Darth Vader #1 is written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Salvador Larroca, and is the first issue of Darth Vader’s first ever ongoing comic book solo series. Taking place after the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the series will tell Vader’s story following the Battle of Yavin.

Marvel has also provided ComicBook.com with an exclusive first look a several variant covers for the issue, including several retailer exclusives. Check them out below.

The original Dark Lord of the Sith stars in his first ongoing series! Ever since Darth Vader made his first on-screen appearance, he became the one of the most popular villains to ever haunt an audience's dreams! Now, follow Vader straight from the ending of A NEW HOPE (and the pages of the new STAR WARS comic book) into his own series, showing the Empire's war with the Rebel Alliance from the other side! Writer Kieron Gillen (Uncanny X-Men, Journey Into Mystery, Iron Man) and artist Salvador Larroca (Invincible Iron Man, X-Men: No More Humans) bring us a peek behind the mask of evil!